Uruguay’s Ferrere has increased its partnership to 12 with the promotion of two associates in its tax and insurance practices.
Gianni Gutiérrez, 37, specialises in high-end tax structuring, while Geraldine Ifrán, 40, heads Ferrere’s insurance practice. Both promotions were announced on 1 October.
Gutiérrez co-heads Ferrere’s tax practice group and has advised clients on a range of issues including the tax structuring of M&A transactions, design of products for the real estate sector and personal wealth planning.
Managing partner Andrés Cerisola says Gutiérrez’s depth of experience makes him ably equipped to co-head the department alongside Alberto Varela.
Gutiérrez was part of the Ferrere team advising three international banks on a dispute with the Uruguayan government arising from the 2002 bankruptcy of Uruguay's largest bank Banco Comercial, which involved one of the largest tax cases in Uruguay’s history.
Key cases have also seen him help radio station Océano FM win a ruling from the Supreme Court stating that an additional 'show tax' levied on dance events is unconstitutional and win a judgment on behalf of ORT University allowing it to avoid paying fees charged by the Montevideo government viewed as hidden taxes.